B-Hebrew: The Biblical Hebrew Forum

It is the root of צבה CABAH, 'inflate, enlarge, swell' as in Nu. 5:27 וצבתה בטנה "her abdomen will swell." Related to this is צבא
CABA, 'congregate, assemble, army, large body of fighting men', as in Ex. 38:8.
Its variants are:

DB דב of which we have דוב 'bear, large animal'.

ZB זב of which we have זאב ZEEB, 'wolf', as in Gen. 49:29. Also אזוב EZOB, 'grass', as in Ex. 12:22.

TB טב of which we have טוב TUB, 'valuables, goods, commodities', as in Gen. 24:10. Also טבעת TABAAT, 'ring'.

TP טף of which we have טף TAP, 'progeny, offspring'. as in Gen. 47:12.

SP סף of which we have סוף SUP, 'grass, reed', as in Is. 19:6. Also מספוא MISPO, 'fodder', as in Gen. 24:32. Also סעיף SAIYP, 'branch, offshoot', as in Is. 27:10.

CB צב of which we have צב CAB, 'tortoise', as in Lev. 11:29. Also צבי CBIY, 'deer', as in Deut. 14:5. Also צבוע CABOA, 'fox', as from 1Sam. 13:18. Also אצבע ECBA, 'finger'.

CP צף of which we have צפע CEPA, 'adder, viper', as in Is. 14:29. Also צפצפה CAPCEPAH, 'a luxuriant tree', as in Ez. 17:5.

SB שב of which we have SAB, 'mature, fully grown', as in Job 15:10. Also שבו $BO, 'agate', as in Ex.28:19. Also שבע $EBA, 'seven, many.'

SP שף of which we have שפה SAPAH, 'lip, labium'. Also שפוי $APUIY, 'tall, high, sound, healthy', as in Is. 13:2. Also שפיפון $PIYPON, 'serpent, snake', as in Gen. 49:17. Also שפן $APAN, 'hare', as in Deut. 14:7.

Isaac Fried, Boston University

And not to forget, from the root שב SB the word עשב ESEB, 'grass'; and from the root זף ZP the post biblical זיף ZIYP, 'whisker, bristle'.

Isaac Fried, Boston University

I might add the root טו TW of טוה TAWAH, 'spin and elongate wool into a fine twined thread. Also notice the opposite meanings of טבע TABA, 'sink, drown, submerge', as in Ex. 15:4, and צבע CABA, 'coat, give color, cover with paint', as understood in Judges 5:30.

Isaac Fried, Boston University